Grain-binding machine



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. S. L. MQCOLLOCH.

GRAIN BINDNG MACHINE.

Patented Apr. 14, 11885.

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GRAIN BINDING MACHINE.` r

No. 315,528. Patented Apr. 141885.

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No. 315,528. Patented Apr. 14, 1885;

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No. 315,528. Patented Apr. 14, 1885.

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Nrrnv STATES PATENT Ormes.

SIMON L. MCCOLLOCH, OF WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA.

GRAIN-BINDING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.`315,528, dated April14, 1885.

Appication filed April 26, 18873.

To all whom may concern:

4Be it known that I, SIMON L. MoCoLLooH, of Wheeling, in the county ofOhio and State of West Virginia, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Grain-Binding Machiues; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to beA a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to a grain-binding machine to be used as anattachment for mowing and reaping machines. y

,To enable others skilled in the art tov make and usemy invention, Iwill now describe it by reference to the accompanying drawings, inWhich- `Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved binder. Fig. 2 is a rearelevation of the binding mechanism with the binder-arm in a halfopenposition. Fig. 3 is a like view, partly in section, showing thebinder-arm closed. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the end of thebinder-arm. Fig. 5 is an end view ofthe frame which supports theactuating mechanism. Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the shield whichcovers the tying mechanism. Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevation of thetraveling carrier which carries the tying mechanism and bindtyingmechanism.

er-arm. Figs. 8 and 9 are views illustrating the positions and operationof the binder-arm at different stages of its inward or gatheringmovement. Figs. 10 and. 11 are views of the devices for reciprocatingthe binding mechanism. Fig. 12 is an elevation of the devices forholding and cutting the oo rd. Figs. 13 to 18 are plan views `of thetying or knotting devices, showing the successive positions assumed intying a knot. Fig. 19 is a vertical section of the tying mechanism onthe lin'exx `of Fig. 21. Fig. 20 is a side elevation of the rotatingbarrel. Fig. 21 is a plan view of the Fig. 22 is a cross-section on theline y y of Fig. 20. Fig. 23 is a vertical section of the dischargingmechanism. Fig. 24 is a plan view ofthe same. Fig. 25 is a plan view ofpower devices for automatically operating t-he binding mechanism. Figs.26 and 27 are respectively edge and side elevations of a portion of themechanism of Fig.

25. Fig.'28 is a rear elevation of a reaper, showing my improvedplatform and the manner of supporting the inner and outer ends of thefinger-bar. Fig. 29 is a section ofthe n- (Model.)

plan view illustrating a modification of the construction of theplatform, in which the two parts 4 and 4 are shown to -belattached tothe side of theguide-'trough 7 and adjustable there with with relationto the finger-ban? Figs. 33 and 34 are respectively side and end Viewsshowing a modication in the construction of the guide-trough, in whichthe guide-flanges are made in the outer sides of a plate instead of theinner sides of the trough, as will be hereinafter described. f

Like figures of reference indicate like parts in each.

As it is unnecessary to illustrate my invention, I do not show theentire reaping-machine, but only the finger-bar 1, knives 2, crank 3 foroperating the knives, and platform 4, the latter, however, beingmodified to adapt it for the attachment of my improved binding devices.I will now describe it. Extending back from the finger-bar 1 are two ormore strong rods or bars, 5. The platform is dividedinto two parts4 and4t, there being a rectangular opening, 6, between them. The front part,4, is fastened to the back edge of the iinger`-bar, and the rear part,4, is supported on the rods 5. rIhe outer end of the -finger-bar issupported by a wheel or caster,

155, Fig. 28, of the usual construction. The grain-divider 156 is`attached to the outer end of the nger-bar. The inner end of theiinger-bar is fastened to a shoe, 157, `mounted on the drag-bar 158,-which is attached to an extension of the front sill ofthe main frame ofthe machine. The shoe 157 is further supported by a bar, 159, which issustained by the well-known chain or link, 160, commonly employed forthat purpose, and is braced from the rear end of the main frame bya bar,161, of the usual construction.V The rods 5, which sustain the platform,are rigid, and extend backward the distance necessary for the properIOI) adjustment and support of the platform. In the opening 6 is atrough or guideway, 7,

open on top, which is designed to receive the I traveling carrier 8,which carries the binderarm and the tying mechanism. This guidetrough issupported by, and is capable of a lateral movement on, the rods 5. Theopening 6 is considerably wider than the guidetrongh 7, so as to permitof its lateral adjustment therein, the purpose of which is as follows,viz: 1t is desirable to apply the band at or about the middle of theshear'. The combined traveler 8 and binder-arm in the outward movementcarries the cord across the position in opening 6 where the grain willfall. In the return or inward movement the binder-arm throws the cordover the loose grain and carries the cord inward, both over and underthe gavel, in a similar manner to what would be done by the two arms ofa person. If the grain is short-,the guide-trough 7 is adjusted toward,and if long away from, the front platform,4, so as to cause the band tobe applied at the desired point. The devices for effecting thisadjustment are the following: Extending between the bracket 9 andfingerbar 1 is a bar, 10, from which a bar, 11, extends backward atright angles. Pivoted on the bar 11, or at any other point on themachine within easy reach of the driver, is a lever, 12, pivoted towhich is a rod, 13, that extends to an elbowlever, 14, under theplatform 4. The elbow-lever 14 is pivoted at one end to the under sideof the nger-bar 1, and at the other to a link, 17, which is connected tothe guide-trough 7. The rod 13 is pivoted at or near the angle of thelever 14. Pivoted to the under side of the iinger-bar 1, near the grainend, is another lever, 16, which is oonnected to the lever 14 by a rod,15, in turn pivoted to the lever 14- between the rod 13 and thenger-bar, and to the lever 16 at its forward end. The rear end of thelever 16 is connected to the guide or trough 7 by a link, 18. 71th thesedevices the guide-trough 7 is moved away from the platform 4 by throwingthe lever 12 away from the finger-bar 1, andis moved away from theplatform 4n by throwing it back toward the finger-bar.

I will now proceed to describe the construction of and devices foroperating the carrier v8. 1t is a rectangular-shaped box, and has aliange, 19, projecting laterally from its bottom on both sides intogrooves, guides, or ways 20, formed in the inner sides ofthe trough orguideway 7. At its inner end are lugs 21, pivoted to which is one end ofa rod or pitman, 22, the other end of which is pivoted to an oscillatinglever, 23. The lever 23 is mounted rigidly on a shaft, 24, which isjournaled in bearings 25. Also mounted rigidly on the shaft is a gearedsegment, 26, having an arc of one hundred and eighty degrees, whichmeshes into a large segmental wheel, 27, having inwardly-projectingteeth 28. The segmental wheel 27 is mounted rigidly on a shaft, 29,journaled at the rear end in one of the bean ings 25, and extendsforward toward the drivers seat, where it is provided with a lever, 30,

within his reach. The bearings 25 are supported on a frame, 31. which issustained at one end by the trough or guideway 7 and at the other end bythe bar 11, the latter extend ing through holes 32, which are largeenough to permit the frame 31 to slide easily laterally therein when thetrough 7 is adjusted in the opening 6. By means of these devices thecarrier 8 is reciprocated in the trough or guideway 7. When the lever 30is thrown over toward the finger-bar 1, the large segment 27 causes thesegment 26 to turn to the position Shownin Fig. 11, and that causes thelever23 to assume a nearly horizontal position, as also shown in Fig.11, and to force the carrier 8 out to the extreme end of the trough 7.When the lever 30 is drawn away from the ingerbar, it will cause thesegments to work in the opposite direction to that just described, andto throw the lever 23 over and draw the carrier 8 inward to the positionshown in Fig. 3.

I will now describe the construction and operation of the bundlingdevices. Projecting horizontally backward from the top of the carrierSis an arm or plate, 33, on the end of which are lugs supporting a pinor axle, 34, on which is pivoted a curved binder-arm, 35.

-Projecting downward from the pivot 34 is a shortarrn or heel extension,36, on the binderarm. This short arm 3'5 has a cross-piece at its outerend provided with small friction-rollers 38, which travel on top oftheupper iianges, 39, of tho grooves 20, the distance of such travel beinglimited by the stops 40, placed near the middle of the length of thetrough or guideuay 7. Above the flanges 39 are other flanges or ways,41, which extend inward nearly to the stops 49, but not quite, therebeing an opening or gap, 42, between them. The top of the stops 40 areon a level with the top of the flanges 41. At the outer end of eachflange 41 is a pivoted pawl or switch, 43, placed in anupwardly-inclined position, its lower end resting upon the iiange 41,and, while capable of turning over into an oppositely-inclined position,it is Weighted at its lower end, so that it shall always return to itsfirst or normal position. The purpose of this construction of the shortarm 36 and its crosspiece, having the rollers 38, iianges 39 and 41,stops 40, openings 42, and switches 43, is to give a forward-sweepmotion to the binderarm 35 as the carrier 8 travels inward. In Fig. 7 Ishow the position of the parts named just before the carrier reaches thelimit of its outward movement. In this position the rollers 38 ride overthe upper ends of the pawls or switches 43 and cause them to tip, asshown by broken lines, Fig. 7. The further outward movement causes therollers to pass over the ends of the pawls, when the latter, by reasonof their weighted lower ends, drop back into their normal position, asshown by the full lines in Fig. 7. Then, when the carrier begins toadvance, the rollers 38 strike the under side ofthe pawls 43, and arecaused to travel down under them into the grooves 44, formed by the IOOflanges 39 and 41. The edect of this movement is to cause the binder-arm35 to be thrown upward into the position shown in Fig. 8. The

' further advance of the carrier brings the rollers against'the stops40, which causes the arm 35 to be thrown over into the position shown inFig. 9. The further advance of the carrier causes` the rollers to ascendout ofthe grooves 44 through the `openings 42 and to roll along theupper edges of the stops 40. Whenl the carrier reaches the limit of itsinward movement, the rollers have passed entirely beyond the stops 40,and the gathering-arm 35 is, by means of the spring 45-the operation ofwhich will be describel-thrown backward into the position shown in Fig.7, being held in that position bythe arm 36 coming in contact with theunder side of the plate 33, said arm being made, preferably, with a bendforming a concavity, 46, for the reception of the cross-piece whichcarries rollers 38. Then the backward movement of the carrier causes therollers 38 to encounter the pawls 43 and pass over them, as has beendescribed, into position for the next inward movement. Opposite to t-hebinder-arm 35, and constituting part of the bunching or gaveling4devices, is a pair of oscillating fingers, 47, which are pivoted to thetrough 7, and united below the same by a cross-strap, 48. Thecross-strap 48 is connected by arod, 49, to the lower end of a lever,50, pivoted on a shaft, 5l, at the inner end of the frame 3l below theshaft 24. The other end of the lever 50 is provided `with a segmentalgear, 53, having three or more teeth, as may be desired. Fastened to theframe 31, and bearing against the segmental gear 53, is a spring, 54.The end of the lever 23 is provided with a segment, 55, having acorresponding number of teeth at its lower end, and a plain segment, 56,of a height equal to that of the teeth, and of any desired length. Thegeared segment 53 meshes into the teeth of the segment 55, so that thelever 50 is operated by the lever 23, and causes the vibration of thefingers 47 by means of the rod 49. This is done in the fol,- lowingmanner: When the lever 23 is raised to draw the carrier inward, whichmovement of the carrier causes the raising of the binderarm 35, as hasbeen described, the segment 55, coming into gear with the segment 53,causes the lower end of the lever 50 to be turned inward away from thetrough 7. This movement draws the lower ends of the fingers 47 in thesame direction and causes the fingers to move toward the outer ends ofthe trough 7, thereby operating in opposition to the movement ofthebinder-arm 35, and in conjunction therewith to effect the bunching orgaveling and compressing of the grain preparatory to binding, ashereinafter described. This position is shown in Fig. 2. After the teethof 4 thel segments 53 and 55 have passed each other the movement of thelever 50 is stopped, and it is held in the position shown in Fig. 2 bythe passage of the solid segment 56 `over its last tooth. During thisstoppage the binder-4 arm 35 is brought to the position shown in Fig. 3,and the bunch or gavel of grain will this is effected by the furtheradvance of the carrier 8, which causes the bunch or gavel of grain-tocome in contact with the fingers 47 and throw them back into theirnormal position, which movement, operating on the lever 50 by means ofthe connecting-strap 48 and rod 49, will throw it into the positionshown in Fig. il. This position it will maintain during the outwardmovement of the carrier 8, and until the segment 55 is brought by suchoutward movement into the position shown in Fig. 1l. The function of thespring 54 is to cause the iirst tooth of the segment 53 to drop intogear with the first tooth of the segment 55 after the solid arc 56 haspassed 4it upon the outward "movement of the lever 23. The spring 54 isnot of sufficient strength to retract the lever 50 and restore the ngers47 to Atheir normal position, but is strong enough to cause the slightmovement of the lever 50 necessary to throw the teeth into mesh.

I will now describe the mechanism by which the knot of thev binding-cordis tied. Secured firmly to the base-plate 57 of the carrier 8 is ahollow standard, 58,having an enlargement, 59,at its upper end. The bore60 of the standard is also enlarged, to form a chamberl, in the enlargedportion 59. In the bore 60 is a vertical sliding rod, 62, fastened atits lower end to a spring, 63, which spring is also fastened to thebase-plate 57, and at its free end this spring is provided with awedge-shaped block or incline, 64, the purpose of which will bedescribed. At the upper end of the rod 62 is a short arm, 65, whichstands at right angles to the rod, and at its outer end is provided witha vertical hook, 66, the upper end of which is preferably pointed ortapered so as to insure its easy insertion and passage through the loopof the tying cord. Mounted loosely on the standard 58 next to thebaseplate 57 is a gear-wheel, 67, provided with a pawl, 68,and aspring,69,which bears against l length, but Acapable of turning thereon.It

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is provided with a ange, 72, or other suitable device for sustaining andfastening a coiled or spiral spring, 73. In the construction shown Imake use of a spiral spring, one i end of which is fastened to theiiange 72 in the hole 74, and the other to the frameof the carrier 8 atany convenient point. The purpose of this spring is to retract or give areversemotion to the barrel after it hasbeen `circular groove, 79,around its upper end,`

which groove is entered through the slot or recess 77, its open sidebeing closed by the plain inner face of the barrel which surrounds it.On the periphery of the barrel 71 is a projection, 80, which is designedto operate in connection with a suitable stop, 81, formed on the side ofthe carrier-frame to stop the backward movement of the rotating barrelat the proper point. On one of the flanges 39 of the trough or guideway7 is a rack, 82, which is designed to operate in conjunction with thegear-wheel 67 to give the forward rotation to the barrel 71. Pivoted inthe trough 7 below the grooves 20 is a pawl, 83, designed to operate inconjunction with the inclined surface or block 64 to give a verticalmovement to the sliding stem 62. rlhis pawl is held rigid by stops asthe block 641 passes over it in an inward direction, so as to force thelatter upward, and thereby give the vertical motion to the stem. Vhenthe block 64 passes over the end of the pawl 83, the stem 62 isretracted by means of the spring 63, to which it is fastened. Vhen thecarrier 8 is moved outward and the block 64 strikes the pawl 83 on theopposite side, the latter turns over on its pivots and permits the 'iassane of the block without raisinO` the stem P t a 62, acting inthisrespect like the pawl of an ordinary ratchet. Extending laterally acrossthe upper portion of the carrier 8, as near as possible to the barrel71, is a slide, 84, having an inclined end, 85, which is designed tooperate in connection with an inclined lug or tripping-pawl, 86, pivotedto the side of the trough 7, and which is provided with a stop, 87, soas to be incapable of turning in the direction of the inward movement ofthe carrier, and capable of turning in the direction of the outwardmovement of the carrier, so that when the carrier moves inward the lug86, encountering the inclined end of the slide 84, will cause the latterto be pushed in its bearing laterally through the box 8, and when thecarrier is pushed outward and the rear side of the slide 84 strikes thepivoted lug 86 the latter will swing over and permit the free pas sageof the carrier. rlhe slide 84C is thrown outward again, either by meansof a spring, 88, or of an inclined lug, 89, placed on the opposite sideof the trough 7 and operating in conjunction with an inclined surface,90, on the opposite end of the slide, or by means of both spring andlug, as may be desired. Fastened to one side of the trough 7 at theinner end is a bracket, 91, journaled in the arms of which is a rlheupper end of thebar-4 slot 105.

vertical shaft, 92. At the upper end of this shaft is a tubular case,93, standing at right angles to the shaft. On the shaft between thebearings 91 of the bracket 91 is aspiral spring, 95,0ne end of which isfastened to the bracket and the other end to the shaft, so that when theshaft is turned in one direction a tension will be put upon the spring,which, when the shaft is released, will cause it to return to its normalposition, which position is such that the tubular case 93 stands at anangle, preferably a right angle, tov the side of the trough 7. On theforward end of the base-plate 57 of the carrier Sis anupwardlyprojecting post, 96, and extending out laterally from the sideof the shaft 92, above its upper bearing, is an arm, 97. The purpose ofthe post 96 is to strike the arm 97,and to cause the shaft 92 to turn inits bearings so as to bring the tubular case 93 into a line parallelwith the side of the trough 7 Inside of the tubular case 93 is a stem,98, having a pointed and preferably a forked end, 99, eX- tending beyondthe open end of the sheath 93. Inside of the sheath, and encircling thestem 98, is a spiral spring, 100,which bears against a collar, 101,formed on the stem, and is for the purpose of projecting the end of thestem from the sheath. Fastened to the side of the trough, at the outerside of the bracket 91, is a plate or bracket, 102, to which is secureda curved guide, 103, the end of which projects back under the sheath 93,and which is also provided with a notch or slot, 104, in its upper edge,near Athe bracket 102. The under side of the sheath is slotted, as at105, and the stem 98 is provided with an outwardlyprojecting pin, 106,which projects through the Vhen the carrier 8 advances, after the bundlehas been formed and while the binding-cord is being tied, the post 96strikes against the arm 97 and causes the tubular sheath 93 to springaround. This brings the pin 106 into contact with the concave side ofthe guide 103 and causes the stem 98 to be forced back into the sheathuntil the pin 106 comes to the slot 105,when the spring 100 causes thestem 98 to spring out and embed its point into the sheaf of grain,whichby this time has been bound and releasedY from the binding-arm. At thismoment the post 96 has passed the end of the arm 97 and released theshaft 92, permitting the spring to recoil and throw the tubular case 93around to its normal position, which movement causes the sheaf of grainto be jerked off of the platform and thrown ont back of the machine.Projecting radially from the side of the shaft 92 is a small spring,107, which bears against the side of the bracket 91, as shown in Figs.30 and 31. The purpose of this spring is to restore the arm 97 to thepath of the post 96 after the latter, in the outward movement of thecarrier 8, has passed the former. Vhen the post 96 pushes the arm 97 outof its way as it goes out, some provision is necessary to bring the arm97 again into the4 path of the post 96,so that when the lattercomesinagain it will catch it and turn the shaft in the mannerdescribed. This ofliceis performed by the spring 107 ,which is ofsufficient power to give the shaft` 92 the slight movement necessary forthis purpose. "The binder-arm 35 is provided with aiiat or leaf spring,45, which is so fastened thereto and arranged therein as to constitutethe chord of an arc formed by the curved arm, the free end being held inposition by a projection or stop, 109. Thelpurpose of this spring is tocause the binder-arm to be thrown back when released after the bindingcord has been tied on the sheaf. The loose grain which is gathered intoa bundle by the arrn 35 and the fingers 47 is pressed between them,andthis compres` sion puts a tension on the spring 45, so that when the armis released after the tying operation has been completed this tensioncauses the spring to act against the side of the sheaf and to throw thearm `35 back and free the sheaf. The forward end ofthe arm 35 is forkedor notchedas at 110,the purpose of which construction will be described,and fastened to it back of the forked end is a bent or angledfinger,111,having an eye,112,at the corner and a hole, 113, at or nearthe outer end. In the top plate, 33, ofthe carrier 8 is a slot, 114, forreceiving the forked end 110 of the arm 35.

The end of the finger 111 passes over the front i end of the carrier 8,so as to bring the hole 113 below its upper surface. Secured in anyconvenient position under the platform is atwine box or spool, 115. Thetwine is led from the box or spool up through one or more eye's,116,

(see Fig. 3,) on the arm 35, thence through the eye 112 and hole 113,and thence back to the holding and cutting mechanism, which I will nowdescribe. On that portion of the top plate, 33, which stands over theslide 84 is a slotted post, 117 and a lateral slot, 118, which extendsfrom the base of the slotted post to the edge of the top plate, 33.Projecting up from` the slide 84 through the slot 118 is a plate, 119,having two laterally-projecting arms, 12() and 121, the lower one, 120,being long enough to always project through the open; ing in the post117 during the movements of the slide 84. The arms 120 and 121 areseparated from each other by an open slot, 122. The arm 121 is short, sothat when thc slide 84 is pushed back by the lug 86 it will pass backand inserted in the slot 122, and is there held by the arm 121 pressingdown upon the arin 120. Secured to the side of the plate 119 is a shearor knife, 124, the end of which passes the square vertical side of thepost 117, such square side constituting thestationary part of thecutting apparatus `necessary to sever the cord iu the tying operation.This knife, being 7o1 fastened to the slide 84, moves backand forthchine. The guideway or trough 7 is adjusted 75 in the opening 6 withrelation to the length of the grain so that the binding-cord shall beapplied at or near the middle of its lengt-h. Theadva-nce andoperationof the reaper causes the standing grain to be cut by the knives 2 8o rand toA fall on the platform 4in the usual way. When a sufficientquantity of eut grain to form a sheaf has fallen upon the platform, theoperator or driver seizes the lever 30 and draws it toward him. Thisturns the shaft 29, and thereby operates the shaft 24 by means of thesegments 27 and 26. The lever 23, being` riglidly attached yto the shaft24, is raised thereby, and by means of the rod or pitman 22 draws thecarrier 8 inward in the guideway or trough 7. This movement of thecarrier 8 causes the binder-arm 35 to rise from the position shown inFig. 7 to that shown in Fig. 2, and to advance along the trough 7,gathering and bunching the grain as it proceeds. The inward movement ofthe lever 23 causes its geared segment 55 to engage the teeth ofthesegment 53 on the lever 50 and to turn the latter on its pivot, causingit, by `means of the rod 49, to throw the fingers 47 upward into theposition shown in Fig. 2, which position they maintain,

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standing rigidly, until the gavel of loose grain ,j

is formed against them by the inwardly-moving binder-arm 35, and thenthey are freed by the solid segment 56 passing the end of the lever 50,and so permitted to retire before the bundle of grain, which is pressedagainst them by the advancing arm 35 as it carries the bundle alongduring the tying operation. The arm 35 by this time is thrown inward bythe stops 40 into the position shown in Fig. 3, where it is supposed toencircle the gavel of IIO grain. To prevent the end ofthe arm 35 fromcatching on the side of the gavel as it sweeps around it, the curve oft-lie fingers 47 is shorter than that of the arm, so that they`compress, and hold the grain down below the line described bythe end ofthe arm, and so that they hold the grain back of the slot 114, in orderthat the forked end'110 of the arm` may enter the slot. These fingers Iprefer to make IZO with elastic or iiexible ends, to give the bundle arounded form when pressed against them by the inward movement ofthecarrier 8; but they may be made rigid, because after the end of the arm35 has entered the slot`114 they are released and will swing back andpermit the bundle of grain to expand against the curved arm 35, andthusassume a rounded form preparatory to binding. a

As before described, the end of the bindingtwine 125 is `held betweenthe jaws120 and 121, and the twine extends baekltherefrom through thehole V113eyc`s 112 and `116, to the boX or spool 115. As the carrier 8travels outward the twine is drawn across the position the loose grainwill occupy on the platform, (see Figs. 7 and 2,) and on the inwardmovement,when the arm 35 passes up over and enclrcles the grain, itcarries a loop up over the top of the gavel, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3,and lays it alongside of the end held by the jaws 120 and 121, as shownin Fig. 13, the spool portion or length being held down alongside of theother by the forked end 110 and finger 111. Vhen in this position, Fig.13, the two strands lie alongside of the post 117, across the top of theknife 121i and the top of the standard 58,lengthwise of the slot orchamber 61, across the recess 77, and between the pin 76 and hook 78.VThis is the position necessary to give the strands in order that theymay be operated upon by tying or knotting mechanism. At this instant theadvance of the carrier brings the gear-wheel 67 into gear with the rack82 on the flange 39, and this causes the gear-wheel to turn. The pawl68, being held into the ratchet 70 on the barrel 71 by the spring 69,causes the barrel to turn with the gearwheel. The turning of the barrel71 causes the pin 76 to catch on the two strands of twine and carry themaround under the hook 78 into the groove 79, forming a loop around thepin 76, one memberof which loop liesin the groove 79 and the other liesacross the top of the standard 58, as shown in Fig. 14. This loop isformed from the slack of the loop encircling the bundle of grain. Thefurther move- .nient of the barrel carries the loop around under thestraight strands which lie across the top of the standard, causing theupper member,127 ,of the loop to twist around the straight strands, asat 126 in Fig. 15. Immediately as the upper member, 127, of the looppasses beyond the straight strands thewcdge-shaped block 61 passes overthe pawl 83 and raises the stem 62, the upper end of which passesbetween the straight strands and the upper member, 127 of the loop. Thestem being immediately drawn down by the spring 63, the hook 66 descendsupon and grasps the straight strands, as shown in Fig. 15. At the sametime the inclined end of the slide 84 encounters the lug 86, and theslide which carries the knife 124 and the holding-jaws 120 and 121 isforced backward, as also shown in Figs. 12 and 15. This releases thespringjaw 121 from the slotted post 117, so that the end of the twinemay escape from the slot 118 preparatory to the grasping of the twine ina new place by the holding-jaws. The withdrawal of the jaw121 permitsthe strand 128, which runs through the eye in the finger 111, to dropdown alongside of the post 117 and in front of the open end of the slot122, so that when the slide 84 returns to its normal position the strand128 shall enter the slot 122 and be grasped by thejaws 120 and 121. Assoon as the incline 85 passes the lug 86 the slide 8.1. is restored toits normal position by the spring 88 and lug 89. The return movement issudden and strong, and it causes the knife 124, coacting with thestraight edge of the post 117, to cut the strand 128, and thus sever theband which encircles the sheaf from the ball of twine. The new end ofthe latter is, by the same movement of the slide 8, grasped by the `jaws120 and 121, and is so held until the tying operation is performed onthe neXt sheaf. During the movement of the slide 84 just described thebarrel 71 continues to rotate, and passes to the position shown in Fig.16, at which instant the movement of the carrier 8 carries it past therack 82, when, the gear-wheel 67 being released, the movement of thebarrel 71 is reversed, and it is thrown back to normal position by therecoil of the spring 73, which was wound up by its forward rotation. Thebarrel is stopped at the properpoint by the projection 80 encounteringthe stop 81, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 21, the full linesindicating the position of the projection at the limit of the forwardrotation of the barrel. The reverse movement of the barrel carries theupper member, 127, of the loop which encircles the pin 76 over the topof the straight strands, (which are now both separated from the ball oftwine, and are both held down in the opening 61 by the hook 66,) andgives it a second coil or twist around the same, as shown in Fig. 17,which shows the barrel moving back to its normal position. TWhen thebarrel comes to rest against the stop 81, as shown in Fig. 21, the pin76 is either withdrawn from the loop 129, Fig. 18, or the loop rests soloosely around it that it is easily removed therefrom bythe dischargingdevice 99. Vhen the tying mechanism comes thus to rest,the sheaf isrelieved from the pressure of the arm 35, and the natural expansion ofthe straw coming against the loop which encircles the sheaf, pressingoutwardly against the twine, draws it in opposite directions andtightens the loop 129, Fig. 18, into a tight knot. All this time thecarrier 8 is moving inward, and this movement brings the post 96 intocontact with the arm 97 and causes the shaft 92 to be turned in itsbearings until the sheath 93 comes parallel with the trough 7. Thisoccurs at or immediately after the completion of the tying operation,and then the pin 106 comes opposite to the slot 101, and the spring 1,00projects the stem 98 outward and causes its pointed end 99 to beembedded in the sheaf. Atthis instant the post 96 passes the arm 97,releasing it, and permits the spring to act on the shaft 92 and restoreit to its normal position. The action of the spring 95 is quick andpowerful and causes the stem 98 to pull the sheaf off of the platform 4and throw it out behind.

It will be apparent to the skilled mechanic that manyof the mechanicalconstructions and devices ofthis machine can be varied in particulars bythe substitution therefor of mechanical devices and constructions whichare the equivalents, mechanically speaking, of those va peripheralgroove, 141.

' groove 141.

' ing just completed the retraction of the bindi withdrawn,

reaping-machine.

described. I do not therefore limit myself to the precise form,construction, and arrangement of the devices described, except when suchprecise form, construction, or arrangement is necessary to the operationof my machine.

As I have hereinbefore described my improvement, it is operated by meansof a handlever, l30. I will now describe how it may be operatedautomatically by the power of the trated in Figs. 25, 26, and 27 on Shet 5. The frame ot' the reaping-machine is shown at 130, the aXle at 131,and the wheels at 132.` The shaft 133, which operates the crank 3,-`

is broken off, and the power attachments by which itis driven are notshown, as they form no part of my invention, and are not necessary toits illustration. They are, moreover, constructed in the usual way. Onthe end of the shaft 29, which has its bearings on the frame 130 at 134,is a beveled pinion, 135. Mounted loosely on the axle 131 is adriving-wheel composed of two beveled gear- Wheels, 136 and 137, thecollars of which are bolted together so as to forni practically onewheel. On each of these wheels are two seg mental gears, 138. The pinion135 is arranged between the geared portions of the wheels 136 and 137 sothat it shall mesh into the segmental gears 138, mounted thereon. Theouter side of the wheel 137 is provided .with a ratchet-shaped clutch,139; and on the axle 131 outside of the wheel 137 is a sliding clutch,140, having teeth of corresponding shape, which clutch is splined to theaxle,`

and is capable of being thrown into and out of gear with the clutch 139.It is provided with Pivoted to the frame 130 isa spring-arm, 142,whichis capable of a slight lateral spring on its pivot. Attached to the arm142 is a strap or yoke, 148, which extends around the clutch 140 in theOn the outer end of the arm 142, and projecting laterally .therefromtoward the wheel 137, is a wedge-shaped block, 143, and on the .side ofthe wheel 137 are two wedge-shaped projections, 144, which are so placedupon the wheel as to come in contact withandact upon the wedge 143 asthe wheel revolves. The arm 142 is also provided with a standard, 145,which projects up through the iioor ofthe reaper in a positionconvenient to the foot of the driver. Back of the clutch 140 is aspring,146,which bears against the clutch and against a collar, 147, rigidlyattached to the axle, so that its tension is constantly against the sideot' the clutch for the purpose of throwing it forward toward the wheel137. In this modification of my machine the devices just described aredesigned to take the place ofthe segmental gear-wheels 26 and 27 inoperating the oscillating lever 23. The axle is supposed to be turningin the direction of the arrow 1, Fig. 25, and the devices for operatingthe bevel-wheel are at rest, hav

This construction is illusobtained from them because they are arranged.

on the'oppositc sides of thepinion 135. When the parts are in theposition shown in Fig. 25,

son that the clutch 140 is out of gear with the wheel 137, and thelatter, being loose on the shathwill consequently remain at rest. WhenVa sufficient quantity' of cut grain has fallen on the platform 4, thedriver places his foot on the top of the standard 145 and forces thespring-arm 142 down. This causes the wedge 143 to pass down upon andspring under the wedge 144.v The sliding clutch 140, being thenreleased, is thrown forward by the spring 146 int-o gear with the clutch139. rlhis causes the wheels 136 and 137 to be turned by the axle, andbrings one of thesegmental racks 138 on the wheel 137 into gear with thebeveled pinion 135, causing t-he latter to make a half-revolution in thedirection ot' the arrow 2. The halfrevolution of the pinion is what isnecessary to cause the oscillating lever 23 to be thrown up and to givethe inward motion to t-he carrier 8, as hereinbefore described.

While the segmental rack 138 on the wheelA IOO the other wheel. When,however, the rack 138 on one wheel runs out of the beveled pinion, asimilar rack onthe other wheel starts into mesh with it and causes it torotate inthe opposite direction.

As soon as the outward motion ofthe carrierA 8 has beencompletedareverse motion is given to it by means of one of the racks 138on, the wheel 136 coming into gear with the pinion 135. Atthe instantthe reverse motion of the carrier 8 is completed one `of the wedgeshapedprojections 144 strikes the wedge 143 and forces the spring-arm 142back, and the sliding clutch 140, being secured to the arm by means ofthe strap or yoke 148, is'carried back also out of gear with the clutch139, and

then the operation of the binding mechanism is stopped until theoperator places his foot upon the standard 145 and throws the clutchinto gear again. By this arrangement the binding mechanism is automaticin its operation and entirely under the control of the driver, whothrows it into action whenever in his judgment there is sufficient grainupon the platform to forni a sheaf.

In reaping-machines having a dropping attachment there is a rod forsupporting the grain as it is cut until the previously-cut gavel` isdropped. I propose to use this rod to support the cut grain and keep itoff of the reciprocating carrier 8 while it is forming and binding asheaf. This `being done, the rod is and the grain which it supports IIC75 the binding mechanism is at rest, for the reais allowed to fall onthe platform to be bound, and then the rod comes into position toreceive a new supply. I deem it unnecessary to illustrate and describethis device, 'because I do not claim it, and because its constructionand application to gavel dropping machines are well and widely known. Iprefer to apply my binding attachment to machines having agrain-divider, which is a device attached to the outer end of thecutter-bar to bring a certain swath of standing grain within the reachof the cutters, so that the gathering-arm shall not at its extreme outerrange go beyond the effective action of the knives, because otherwise itwould encounter the standing grain.

I have described the device in which the carrier 8 moves as a trough orguideway; Ybut I do not limit myself to such construction, for thereason that it may be placed and travel upon a bed-plate having theguides and stops which operate the binder-arm 35 formed on the s ides,and the crosspieces made with projections provided with thefriction-rollers 88, eX- tending down under the edges of such bed tooperate there in conjunction with the guide grooves and stops, as shownin Figs. 33 and 34.

I have also described the platform 4 4L as being independent of thetrough 7. If desi red, the platform 4 41l may be dispensed with, andlarge side iianges, 44, having suitable rslots, 108, for the operationof the tingers 47, may be attached to the sides of the trough 7, andconstitute the platform on which the cut grain falls, as illustrated inFig. 32. The adjustment of a platform of such a construction withrelation to the cutter-bar to accommodate any given length of grain canbe effected by the same means used to adjust the trough in the otherconstruction, as the side flanges constituting the platform are part ofthe trough and move with it. i

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the mower or reapercan be used without using the binder and without detaching the latter.If desired, the binder and its operating mechanism can be removedentirely and the mower be restored to its primitive condition withoutderangement or injury to its parts or in any way affecting its operationas a mower; also, that the binder can be reattached at any time whenneeded.

In order to prevent the straw from becoming entangled in and cloggingthe tying mechanism, I place a shield, 149, Fig. 6, having-alongitudinal slot, 150, over the tying mechanism. The binding-cord iscarried down into the slot by the presser-foot, the toe 111 of whichprojects down over the front edge of the carrier 8, and the heel ofwhich enters the slot 114. rlhe binding-cord 125, extending between theparts 110 and 111, Fig. 4, is forced by them down through the slot 114.By the term presser-foot, I mean the organism composed of the forked end110 of the binder-arm and the bent finger 111, attached thereto, thefunctions of which have `been described.

To suit different lengths of grain, either the finger-bar must beadjusted relatively to the binding mechanism, or vice versa. In theformer case the finger-bar must be supported by the platform, and in thelatter case the binding mechanism may be supported by the finger-bar,which, when in use, must be rigid. I can adjust my machine to suit thelength of the grain by simply moving a lever, and that while the machineis in motion. The advantage of sustaining the platform from theiingerbar is that it enables me to adapt my improvements to many formsof existing inachines, and also to construct a lighter and Vcheaper butequally good machine as one in which the platform is provided with anindependent support.

Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to .secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. The combination, in a self-binding harvester, of the grain-receivingplatform provided with a slot or opening parallel with the finger-bar,with agrain gathering, bundling, and binding mechanism, whichreciprocates in said opening and is adjustable laterally therein,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination, in a self-binding harvester, of a platform with agrainbinding device which reciprocates across said platform at rightangles to the fall of the grain, anda guide-trough supported from thengerbar of the machine in which said binding device reci proeates,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. A self-binding harvester having its platform and grain-bindingmechanism sustained by the finger-bar, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

4. The combination, in a self-binding harvester, of a finger-bar, with agrain-platform and binder mechanism, sustained by said finger-bar, anddevices for adjusting the binder mechanism fore and aft relatively tothe fingerbar, substantially as and for the purposes described.

5. The combination, in a self-binding harvester, of a reciprocatingbinding mechanism carrying an oscillating binderarm,with independentcompressing-fingers which oseillate in a vertical plane at right anglesto the fall of t-he grain and in opposition to the encircling movementof the binder-arm, substantially as and for the purposes described.

6. The combination, in a self-binding harvester, of a reciprocatingbinding mechanism having an arm for gathering the bundle of grain, witha pair of independent oscillating compressing-fingers adapted to pressthe bundle of grain inside of the path of the outer end of thegathering-arm, so that the latter will not catch on'the bundle,substantially as and for the purposes described.

7. The combination, in a self-binding harvester, of a reciprocatingbinding mechanism having an arm for gathering the bundle of grain andencircling the same with the band,

IOO

TIO

with independent pivoted elastic compressingngers which voscillate in avertical plane at right anglesto the fall of the grain and in oppositionto the inward movement of the` gathering-arm, substantially as and forthe purposes described.

8. In mechanism for gathering and binding grain, the combination of atraveling carrier provided at one end with a cord holding and knottingmechanism, and on the other end with areciprocating grain gathering andbind-` ing arm having a presser-foot for delivering the spool end of thecord to the holding and knotting mechanism, and compressing-fingersoscillating on an axis on the guide-frame ci the carrier, substantiallyas and for the purposes described.

9. The combination of a traveling carrier which sustains .the holding,cutting, and tying devices,with a binder-arm pivoted thereto andprovided with a heel-extension having lateral projections, and a trough,box, or guide having ways and stops in the sidesthereof, which,operating in conjunction with the lateral projections of theheel-extension, give the necessary movements to the binder-arm to causeit to encircle the grain, substantially as and for the purposesdescribed.

10. The combination of the reciprocating binder-arm and itsheel-extension with the trough having guideways for raisingthehinder-arm into a position for gathering the grain,

Y and stops for throwing it over to encircle the grain, and a spring forthrowing it back to-release the sheaf, substantially as and for thepurposes described. v

11. The combination of the reciprocating binder-arm and itsheel-extension with the trough having guideways for raising thebinder-arm into a position for gathering the grain, and stops forthrowing it over to encircle the grain, andweighted pawls at the outerends of the guideways over which it passes during its backward movement,which pawlsdepress the heel-extension and cause it to enter theguideways on the forward motion of the binder-arm, substantiallyas andfor the pur-poses described.

12. The combination of the oscillating lever which actuates thereciprocating carrier and its binder arm, provided with a segmentalgear, with a pivoted lever, also provided with a segmental gear andconnected to the vibrating compressor-fingers, which operate in con- 5 5junction with the binder-arm to form the gavel for the purpose ofcommunicating a vibration thereto, substantially as and for the purposesdescribed.

13. The combination of the oscillating lever 23, provided with teeth 55,with the lever 50,

having geared segment 53 and spring 54, substantially as and for thepurposes described.

14. In a tying mechanism, a rotary barrel or casing notched and providedwith a pin or hook, as described, in combination with a stationarystandard inclosed thereby and having a notch corresponding with thenotch in the barrel, a vertically-projecting pin or hook, a groove orrecess extending around the standard from the Vbase of thepin, the pinor hook o n the barrel being arranged on the side of the'noteh oppositetothe pin on the standard, and devices for laying the cord between thepins or hooks and holding it during the tying of the knot, substantiallyas and for the purposes described.

15. rlhe combination of a stationary standard, notched as described,having a pin projecting from its end off the center and in line with itsaxis, and a groove around it for receiving the cord, a notched rotarybarrel surrounding said standard and having a coacting hook arranged onthe side of the notch opposite to the stationary pin, devices for layingand holding the binder-cord across the top of the standard between thetwo pins or hooks, a pinion arranged on the barrel and meshing in a rackadapted to give the barrel a rotation, and a spring mounted on thebarrel to retract it after the rack ceases to operate, substantially asand for the purposes described.

16. The combination of the slotted post 117 with laterally-reciprocatingspring gripping and holding jaws for grasping the leading endI of thebinding-cord, substantially as and for the purposes described.

17. The combination oi' the laterally-reciprocating holder having alowerrigid jaw and a shorter upper spring-jaw, witha recessed, perforated, orslotted post, into and out of which the spring-jaw passes, to enable itto grasp and release the cord, and a knifewhich reciprocates with theholder and severs the cord at the instant the holder grasps the same ina new place, substantially as and for the purposes described.

18. rlhe combination of the trough with the carrier reciprocatingtherein, the laterallymoving holder and cutter-slide mounted in thecarrier and having an inclined end, a trippingpawl mounted on the troughin the path of. the inclined end, for actuating the slide, and devicesfor restoring the slide to position, substantially as and for thepurposes described.

19. The combination of the traveling carrier moving in a guide-trough,the tying meehanism'mounted on the carrier and provided with anaxially-moving stem. carrying a hook for completing the knot, a springconnected i 12o with the stem, for holding it in a depressed po- Asition, a wedge-shaped block attached to said spring, and atripping-pawl supported by the guideways in the path of the WedgeshapedIOO block-on the spring and coacting therewith so as to raise andproject the stem during the inward movement of the carrier, and topermitit to pass freely over it without raising the stem `during the outwardmovement of the carrier, substantially as and for the purposes ndescribed. n 20. The discharging-spear having an Aarm projecting intothe path of the carrier, in combination with the traveling carrierprovidedwith a tripping-post for striking the arm of the spear to turnit with its shaft, and a retracting-spring for bringing it back to itsno1- mal position, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2l. The combination of an oscillating discharging-spear having an armprojecting into the path of the carrier, With the traveling carrierhaving aprojecting arm or tappet which strikes the rear arm orprojection of the spear in the passage of the carriage, and therebycauses it to turn on its bearings, substantially as and for the purposesdescribed.

22. The bundle-discharging spear mounted upon a vertical oscillatingshaft journaled at the side of the carrier-frame and capable of alongitudinal movement in its sheath and an oscillating movement with itsshaft, in combination with a projection spring and a guide for forcingit back into the sheath against the projection spring, substantially asand for the purposes described.

23. The discharging-spear having a projecting arm, in combination Withthe carrier having a tripping-post. and a spring, 107, for throwing thearm into the path of the carrier, substantially asand for the purposesdescribed.

24.. The combination, in a self-binding harvester, of a grain-bindingmechanism which reciprocates in a guide or trough across the platformand is capable of adjustment relatively to the finger-bar to suitdifferent lengths of grain, levers pivoted to said iinger-bar, links orrods connecting said levers With the guide-trough, a rod connecting saidlevers, and a lever for adjusting the position of the binding mechanism,substantially as and for the purposes described.

25. The combination, in a self-binding harvester, of the finger-bar Withrod or bars supported thereby and extending backward therefrom, and theguide-trough ot' the binding mechanism mounted on said rods or bars,substantially as and for the purposes described.

26. The combination, in a reaper, of the linger-bar with a dividedplatform, one part of which is fastened directly to the linger-bar andthe othersustaiued by rods extending back from the finger-bar,substantially as and for thel purposes described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of April,A. D. 1883.

siMoN L. MccoLLooH.

Vi tn esses:

W. B. CoRWrN, T. B. KEER.

